New polypeptide could provide universal protection against coronaviruses
Researchers in the United States have developed an inhibitor of the spike protein found on the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that limits its formation in host human cells that would otherwise be the source of newly generated virions.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the spike protein is the main structure the virus relies on for host cell entry.
Importantly, the inhibitor was effective against the spike proteins of other coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV).